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New works by paper artist Spring in the subtropics! What artist could fail to be inspired by the riot of colour that surrounds us now? Vast vistas of lilac jacaranda blossoms on the tree and lavender carpets underneath! Rich scarlet, magenta and cerise bougainvillea rioting from the fences! The bright green of the fresh grass encouraged by the gentle rain! […]

It is now 6 weeks since the day my partner and I drove away from our previous home of 23 years in Gympie. The move has brought us to 2 acres near Maryborough, the town where I was born and educated. Since I am involved with FIDO, the watchdog of K’gari, it makes sense to be closer to the island […]

Paper of Weeds: Utilising the weeds of K’gari Education and employment proposal modelled on NT Arnhem Djurra example Transforming K’gari’s weeds into paper by Zela Bissett K’gari is a World heritage listed Tourist Mecca. However there are a number of biosecurity issues besetting this island, and one of them is invasive weeds. Weeds are defined as non-native plants growing out […]

When an artist has been working in the studio, often in relative isolation, it can be confronting to see the work in a gallery space. The Gympie Regional Gallery has done a lovely job of hanging my recent works in botanical paper and wool felt in a way that helps the viewer see both my finished work and the emotional […]

Papermaking with Zela    Gympie Regional Gallery   Sunday February 25 The workshop will begin with an introduction to papermaking using botanical fibres sourced from the local area, mostly Zela’s backyard. Zela uses spent plants, weeds, prunings and trimmings which are cooked and beaten to extract the cellulose fibres. She brews inks from a variety of berries and barks to obtain natural […]

In recent months I have had several requests to talk about my work to other artists. Firstly I gave a talk via Zoom to the Papermakers of Victoria, and more recently spoke to Paper Artists of Queensland at the Hands-on paper (HOP) Day at Brisbane Visual Arts Community (BVAC) where we ran our hollander beater and made paper from various […]

At times I have had doubts about the value of entering high-profile art awards.  During 2022 I spent a lot of time in Victoria with family away from my studio and was therefore limited in what new works I was able to make. I focussed on entering work I had already made in a number of national prizes where I […]

Someone very close to me has produced this beautiful and insightful review. I am humbled. Queensland artist Zela Bissett redefines the meaning of botanical art with her unique works composed of plant fibre, containing actual plant fragments and decorated with inks brewed from bark, berries and fruit. Zela uses plants seasonally harvested from her permaculture garden, or weed plants she […]

Around 1996 I was forced by circumstances to move my main arts practice from claywork to fibre arts. I had been making reduction-fired stoneware in a wood-burning kiln with fallen timber and mill offcuts, but working full time as a teacher with three children prompted changes. Thanks to a group of active paper-makers around the Sunshine coast, I discovered an […]